Firm, Rubbery Durability for Functional Elastomeric Parts
Flexible 80A Resin offers a Shore 80A durometer, providing a stiff yet flexible feel that resists tearing and maintains its shape under repeated compression. On the Form 4, this resin prints up to 3x faster than previous generations, allowing you to move from a CAD design to a functional rubber-like prototype in under an hour. Its high transparency also makes it excellent for internal fluidic visualization or aesthetic light diffusion.
Key Features
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Firm Elastomeric Feel: With a Shore 80A hardness, it provides the "hard-rubber" feel typical of shoe soles, tire treads, and industrial seals.
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Exceptional Tear Strength: Engineered to withstand stretching and pulling, ensuring functional parts like straps and hinges don't fail during stress testing.
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High Optical Clarity: The translucent finish is ideal for inspecting internal geometries or for use in lighting applications where a soft, diffused glow is required.
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Low Compression Set: Maintains its original dimensions even after prolonged periods of being squeezed or compressed, critical for long-term sealing applications.
Ideal Applications
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Industrial Seals & Gaskets: Custom-shaped, vibration-dampening seals for machinery and enclosures.
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Consumer Wearables: Prototyping watch bands, ear tips, and impact-resistant smartphone cases.
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Ergonomic Grips: Soft-touch handles and button overlays for power tools and medical devices.
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Medical Simulation: Creating firm, realistic anatomical models that mimic the feel of dense cartilage.
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Robotics: Flexible soft-robotic actuators and high-friction grippers for automated assembly lines.
FAQ
How Does this Differ from Elastic 50A?
Flexible 80A is much firmer, similar to a tire tread or a hard rubber mallet. Elastic 50A is significantly softer and more stretchy, similar to a silicone wristband or a rubber band.
Can I use Flexible 80A for Skin-Contact Applications?
While Flexible 80A is safe for handling, it is not certified for long-term skin contact. For medical-grade wearables, we recommend using BioMed Flex 80A.
Do I Need a Special Build Platform for the Form 4?
We highly recommend using the Build Platform 2 for the Form 4. Because flexible parts can be difficult to remove with a scraper, the Flex-Release technology allows you to "pop" the parts off without the risk of tearing the material.
